do ball pythons dig/burrow.

[Mr. H]

I think the need for evidence is on the shoulders of those saying they do burrow. After all, you can't argue with a picture or video of one burrowing into the ground but it doesn't prove anything to show a picture of a bp NOT burrowing into the ground lol. Honestly, I've never seen anything in any of my sources (which I researched carefully) about them burrowing but it does usually mention something about them living in rodent burrows.

[MontyNSpike]

I already listed 3 sites that say they burrow, so the evidence is pretty concrete that they do burrow, what I'm waiting for is some truth that they DON'T burrow. Please someone show me this with a link or something so that I can be proven wrong...

[Adam_Wysocki]

I already listed 3 sites that say they burrow, so the evidence is pretty concrete that they do burrow, what I'm waiting for is some truth that they DON'T burrow. Please someone show me this with a link or something so that I can be proven wrong...

I could also show you websites that say you should feed ball pythons crickets ... get a clue.

As for ball pythons burrowing ... There isn’t a biologist on the planet that would classify p. regius as a "burrowing" species ... In their native West Africa they are often found in abandoned tortise burrows (many tortises are known as burrowing species) and old rodent burrows (again, many rodents are known to "burrow").

As an animal that is not at the top of the food chain, their instinct forces them to constantly seek out the smallest, tightest hiding spot that they can find to prevent their natural predators from being able to get a claw, tooth, or beak on any part of their body. When placed in a cage with hides that are not secure enough for them, they are certainly capable of moving the bedding around to "hide themselves" and feel safe. I am sure that this is a natural behavior that they have developed over time to make the slightly adequate "abandoned burrows" that they use in the wild more suitable for their needs. Also, I would imagine that a ball python in a cage with a nice thick layer of loose bedding might enjoy the sensation of crawling through it. These actions do not make them a burrowing species.

FWIW, when a gaboon viper hides itself under a layer of leaf litter on a forest floor in order to ambush a meal, it is not a "burrower" either, but someone that wanted to be a pain in the ace or just didn’t know a whole lot about gaboon vipers could easily twist a description of the event around and argue that they are “burrowing”.

I'll put my 25+ years of experience with ball pythons and the dozens of conversations that I've had with people that have actually been to West Africa and worked with/observed them in their natural habitat up against any one of those care sheets .... any day.

-adam

[rabernet]

Please someone show me this with a link or something so that I can be proven wrong...

I could also show you websites that say you should feed ball pythons crickets ... get a clue.

As for ball pythons burrowing ... There isn’t a biologist on the planet that would classify p. regius as a "burrowing" species ... In their native West Africa they are often found in abandoned tortise burrows (many tortises are known as burrowing species) and old rodent burrows (again, many rodents are known to "burrow").

As an animal that is not at the top of the food chain, their instinct forces them to constantly seek out the smallest, tightest hiding spot that they can find to prevent their natural predators from being able to get a claw, tooth, or beak on any part of their body. When placed in a cage with hides that are not secure enough for them, they are certainly capable of moving the bedding around to "hide themselves" and feel safe. I am sure that this is a natural behavior that they have developed over time to make the slightly adequate "abandoned burrows" that they use in the wild more suitable for their needs. Also, I would imagine that a ball python in a cage with a nice thick layer of loose bedding might enjoy the sensation of crawling through it. These actions do not make them a burrowing species.

FWIW, when a gaboon viper hides itself under a layer of leaf litter on a forest floor in order to ambush a meal, it is not a "burrower" either, but someone that wanted to be a pain in the ace or just didn’t know a whole lot about gaboon vipers could easily twist a description of the event around and argue that they are “burrowing”.

I'll put my 25+ years of experience with ball pythons and the dozens of conversations that I've had with people that have actually been to West Africa and worked with/observed them in their natural habitat up against any one of those care sheets .... any day.

-adam

But Adam......you didn't provide a link!

[Smulkin]

Allow me

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...6&postcount=13

[JLC]

Allow me

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...6&postcount=13

I bow down before your Googling skillzzz!

[rabernet]

Allow me

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...6&postcount=13

Now THAT was funny!

I couldn't help myself above - feeling a little punchy with long hours at work during inventory! LOL

[mr~python]

let me lighten up the mood with a real burrowing animal.

ok, so i just needed to show off my ackie, lol, but this is a real burrow and burrowing animal. a ball python puching dirt with its nose is in no way tunneling or burrowing.

[Rapture]

Whoa is that a Savannah?

[mr~python]

nope, red ridge-tail monitor, varanus acanthurus acanthurus.